at that point, joe biden and mitch mcconnell took over negotiations. the two worked together in the senate for 23 years and have a strong history of finding compromise. >> i think there's some good news. the conversations continued late into the night last night. i think now there is a better than 50/50 chance that we will avoid the fiscal cliff by midnight tonight. >> reporter: if the senate comes one a plan and passes it, the -- comes up with a plan and passes, it the house would have to vote on it. kyla campbell, ktvu channel 2 news. >>> 7:16. even if congress avoids the flip, your paycheck will still be smaller in 2013. that's because a temperature reduction in the social security payroll tax expires today. starting in january, workers will, once again, have 6.2% of their wages withheld to pay for social security. that's up from the 4.2% rate that's been in effect for the past two years. people making $50,000 will get about $83 a month less in their paychecks. >>> 7:16. a new report from the u.s. senate on the attack on the u.s. consue rit in -- on